Chapter 117 Finding Mu Mu
As darkness approached, there was still no sign of anyone.
Xu Chumian's heart clenched tightly. Her eyes were red as she stared at the dark forest, her thin figure swaying precariously.
Guan Yan couldn't help but advise, "Miss Xu, why don't you stop and rest for a bit?"
In the vast forest, there are scattered fires every so often.
At this moment, they were in the mountains and forests near the bottom of the cliff, and Zhao Yu led his men further ahead.
Winter days are short and dark. The mountains are damp and cold, and the biting wind chills Xu Chumian to the bone.
They searched in the mountains for several hours in a row. Even strong men couldn't stand it, let alone Xu Chuming, a weak woman, who hadn't had a drop of water.
Xu Chumian shook her head, "Keep going forward."
Guan Yan moved his lips and led another group of people forward.
Just then, a commotion suddenly came from ahead.
The clatter of horses' hooves approached—
Xu Chumian's eyelids twitched slightly. She looked ahead and saw several streaks of fire...
The leader rode on horseback, and Zhao Yu's face gradually became clear. He dismounted and walked towards Xu Chumian.
With a gentle smile on his usually cold face, he approached Xu Chumian.
Xu Chumian's lips trembled slightly as she saw his expression. "Have you found them? Where are they?"
Zhao Yu smiled and pulled Xu Chumian into his arms.
"Found them. They're still asleep in the temple, safe and sound."
Su Yao's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down. Tears streamed down her face. Thank goodness, thank goodness she found it...
She gripped Zhao Yu's sleeve tightly, "What exactly happened?"
Zhao Yu glanced at Guan Yan.
Guan Yan immediately ordered the Imperial Guards to retreat.
Zhao Yu glanced at Xu Chumian's ankle. "I'll take you there."
Just as they had come, Xu Chumian sat in front of Zhao Yu, who gripped the reins and rode back the way they came.
Zhao Yu's voice reached Xu Chumian's ears. His voice was deep: "Behind this mountain is the back mountain of Qianlong Temple. Mu Mu ran all the way to the back mountain, and coincidentally... my mother was praying to Buddha in the back mountain courtyard when Mu Mu fainted outside the courtyard."
After she finished speaking, Xu Chumian fell silent for a moment.
No matter who it is, as long as Mu Mu can be saved in the end...
Xu Chumian took a deep breath, some words stuck in her throat, and she couldn't say anything.
Despite the bumpy mountain road, Xu Chumian was held securely in Zhao Yu's arms.
The winter night is cold. Although it hasn't snowed tonight, the wind is biting.
Zhao Yu spoke up, "Do you want to face me?"
Xu Chumian's face was delicate, unlike the weathered faces of grown men.
Xu Chumian frowned. "No need."
A soft laugh came from Zhao Yu's ear.
With Mu Mu rescued, Xu Chumian relaxed completely. Although it was winter, she felt as if she were soaking in the warmth of spring, feeling incredibly fortunate and grateful to God.
Zhao Yu lowered his eyes, and the woman's soft, white face came into view.
His lips were slightly upturned, and the smile in his eyes was more obvious.
They soon arrived at Qianlong Temple, by which time it was completely dark.
After running around all day, Madam Zhang went to the temple to invite a master to treat Mu Mu. The little girl is now sleeping peacefully, and no amount of noise outside can wake her up.
Madam Zhang stood in the courtyard with her entourage. Upon seeing the two figures on horseback, she was immediately taken aback, "This..."
He An's face was quite clear.
This woman...
The horse neighed loudly—
Zhao Yu dismounted.
The girl on horseback had a very clear face. Zhao Yu caught her from below. Xu Chumian lowered her eyes and tightened her grip on him. As soon as she turned over, Zhao Yu grabbed her waist with both hands and lifted her down steadily.
Standing there, Madam Zhang stared at the two of them, her face trembling with shock.
"This is... the first sleep?"
Facing the Zhang family, Xu Chumian felt incredibly conflicted, her past and present lives constantly overlapping, and now the Zhang family's kindness in saving Mu Mu was real.
Xu Chumian pinched her palm and looked up. "Thank you for saving me today, Aunt."
Zhang's brow twitched, wanting to say something but unable to find the words, her gaze shifting between Xu Chumian and Zhao Yu.
Zhao Yu pursed his lips, "Mother."
Zhang forced herself to remain calm and looked at Xu Chumian, "Chumian, what exactly happened today?"
The worry on Zhang's face was genuine.
Xu Chumian recounted the events of the day in a few words, leaving Madam Zhang dumbfounded. She frowned deeply and asked, "You mean... the Imperial Guards have also come looking for someone?"
Only Emperor Mingde had the authority to mobilize the Imperial Guards.
Zhang had an unbelievable guess in her mind.
Xu Chumian said gently, "Aunt, where is Mumu now? I want to see her."
The old woman behind Madam Zhang immediately said, "Miss Xu, let me take you there."
Only Zhang Shi and Zhao Yu remained behind him.
Zhang's brows never furrowed; her face was serious as she lowered her voice, "I'm asking you, is Mu Mu related to that person...?"
Zhang didn't finish her sentence.
Zhao Yu hummed in response, his expression indifferent. "I already wrote to the North yesterday to inform them."
The news is still on its way.
Madam Zhang swayed, still in disbelief, "How could this be?"
Zhao Yu walked towards Mu Mu's room, giving Zhang Shi time to calm down.
Zhang called out to him.
Zhao Yu stopped in his tracks.
Madam Zhang stepped forward, her brows furrowed. "Then what's going on between you and Chu Mian?"
Zhao Yu, having restrained himself and returned to propriety, actually developed feelings for Chu Mian, while they were completely unaware of it!
Seeing that Zhao Yu remained silent, Madam Zhang glared at him. "He'an, you're not someone who doesn't know what's important. You... are you going to marry Chu Mian?"
After tentatively uttering her last sentence, Zhang waited for Zhao Yu's reply.
Zhao Yu seemed to smile, but there was a helpless mockery in his eyes.
Zhao Yu said calmly, "It depends on what she wants."
Zhao Yu was desperate to marry her, but Xu Chumian refused.
Zhang was deeply shocked tonight. She shook her head and couldn't utter a single word.
He An is actually going to marry Xu Chumian.
Zhang's first reaction was to refuse. She was worried that Mu Mu's illness was hereditary, but then she thought about it again. Mu Mu and Xu Chumian were not related by blood. Judging from what He An had said before, it seemed that the illness was caused by poisoning...
Zhang was in a state of chaos, and couldn't help but think that Mu Mu had been sick for many years, and Xu Chumian had been taking care of her tirelessly. Now, even though she wasn't her biological sister, she was going to great lengths to find her. This was enough to show Xu Chumian's character.
The only mismatch is their family background.
However, the Zhao family is very powerful, and if they were to marry a woman from a prominent family, it would be difficult to guarantee that it wouldn't displease the Emperor and his court officials...
He An has never expressed his feelings to any other woman.
Chu Mian is gentle and extremely beautiful, with manners and talent that rival those of noble ladies in the capital.
Standing there, the more Zhang thought about it, the more the scales in her heart tipped in favor of Xu Chumian.
Zhao Yu went to find Xu Chumian.
There were maids brought by Zhang Shi guarding outside.
Inside, Xu Chumian sat by the bed and only felt completely relieved after confirming that her younger sister had no other injuries.
She left the house, and Zhao Yu stood outside.
"Young Master, Miss Xu, the room has been prepared."
Xu Chumian hummed in agreement and said softly, "Thank you."
Zhao Yu stared intently at Xu Chumian with a deep gaze.
Xu Chumian looked up, frowning, and asked, "What's wrong?"
Zhao Yu pursed his lips and asked her, "Are you hungry?"
Xu Chumian shook her head. After all this commotion, she had no appetite.
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